Unidirectional driving device



Feb. 22,1927. 1.618.915

G. CONSTANTINESCO I, UNIDIRECTIONAL DRIVING DEVICE 1926 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 X 1,618,915 1927' G. CONSTANTINESCO UNIDIRECTIONAL DRIVING DEVICE Filed April 22, 1926 6 Sheets-Sheet 2,

' b. 2 1927. 1,618 915 Fe G. CONSTANTINESCO UNIDIRECTIONALV DRIVING DEVICE Filed April 22, 1926 6 Sheets'-Sheet 5 Feb. 22,1927. ,618,915

G. CONSTANTl-NESCO UNIDIRECTIONAL DRIVING DEVICE Filed April 22, 1926' i 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 1210976 &77

G avashiaiczzesc Feb. 22 1927. v 618915 G. CONSTANTINESCO UNIDIRECTIONAL DRIVING DEVICE I Filed April 22, 1926 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 1,618,915 1927' 'G. CONSTANTINESCO UNIDIRECTIONAL DRIVING DEVICE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed April 22, 1926 P" Q G) 1506/22 07 (2:111: 2: zikkgsca parts.

Patented F eb. 22, 192.7.

' UNITED STATES PAT GEORGE CONSTANTINESCO, WEYBRIDGE, ENGLAND.

UNIDIRECTIbNAL DRIVING DEVICE.

Application filed April 22, 1926,

In my specification Serial No. 727,774, a unidirectional reversible driving device is described in .which the motion communicated by the driving members to the driven rotor depends upon the torque opposing the motion of the latter, the motion communicate-d being small if this torque is great, and conversely.

In the above invention use is made of the elastic properties of balls or rollers or elastic bodies for obtaining driving engagement and quick release between certain of the According to my present invention a similar principle is applied to a non-reversible device.

Although in my former invention the parts present a symmetry, this symmetry is consequent upon the reversibility of the device. While driving in any one direction the distribution of the stresses is non-uniform. In my present invention the parts are also symmetrically disposed, but the object is to obtain symmetrical or uniformly distributed stresses.

The invention consists of oscillating and rotor members. These members are concentric and cylindrical, and between them are disposed a number of which are in the form of curved wedges and are symmetrically arranged. These grip ping members are in direct contact with the oscillator but act on the rotor through elastic ball or roller bearings. The races of these bearings are formed on the one side by the gripping members and on the other by similar but oppositely directed wedge-shaped surfaces either on the interior of the rotor or capable of frictional engagement with it. The invention also comprises spring means for ensuring the immediate-engagement o the parts at the commencement of the driving stroke of the oscillator.

Although the parts are arranged as nearly as ossible symmetrical, it is impossible-to avoid a certain small amount of lateral play, which might have serious results at high fre quencies. Even if this play could be avoided initially it would develop itself in the course of use. My invention therefore includes means for providing for this play and taking it u The invention will be understood from the particular description of the three following embodiments. In the accompanying drawingsz- Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of one gripping members f engage frictionally with Serial No. 103,928, and in Great Britain April 29, 1925.

form of the device along the line 1-1 of Figure 2, in which the lateral play above referred to is allowedfor by an elastic bearing,

a clearance being left between the rotor and the driven shaft.

Figure 2 is a cross section along the line 2-2 of Figure 1. 3

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of a form of the device somewhat similar to that shown in Figure 1, in which the rotor is seated directly on the driven shaft.

Figure 4 is a cross section along the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

- Figure 5 is a longitudinal section of a modified form of the device in which play is allowed for by a coupling of the Oldham Figure 6 is a cross section along the line 6-6 of Figure 5, looking to the right.

Figure 7 is a cross section along the line 7-7 of Figure 5, looking to the right.

Figure 8 is a developed sectional plan along the line 8-8 of Figure 7. r

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the shaft 1 which isto receive unidirectional intermit-v tent rotation is situated centrally within the device. It is mounted in suitable bearlngs which are not shown, and has a plain .cyhndrical surface 2. Surrounding the central shaft is a hollow cylinder 3 whose inner surface takes its bearing on the shaft with the interposition of elastic rollers 4. This cylinder, hereinafter called the oscillator, is oscillated from an external source of power by means of a link, not shown, engaging with a pin 5. The outer surface of the oscillator, which is concentric with its inner surface, is indented, castellated, or otherwise treated, as shown in Figure 2, to enable it to shaped bodies 6, hereinafter called grippers, so as to drive them. These grippers, of which there are at least two, are symmetrically disposed round the oscillator, and embrace the greater part of its circumferonce, their section beingJ the shape of a curved wedge, one edge eing thicker than the other. It will be convenient to confine thev immediate description to two grippers only, as shown in Figure 2. Interposed between the grippers and occupfving the whole of the rest of the surface 0 the oscillator with very slight clearance between themselves and the grippers are distance pieces 7 forming parts of cylindrical shells of Ill:

form thickness. The distance pieces are procurved wedge vided with outwardly directed flanges 8 at their ends adjacent to the thick ends of the grippers, to forrrrabutments for springs 9, as

will presently be described. The external organ of the device is a cylinder or cup 10 which may conveniently be called the rotor, and which has a closed end with a central hole .11. The rotor shaft passes through this hole with substantial clearance. The rotor and the rotor shaft are compelled to rotate together by a diametral pin 12 upon which one or both can slide, so as to permit of slight relative radial movement in one direction, the central hole in the rotor being large enough to allow of such movement. The axis of the pin is approximately parallel to the line through the middle points of the grippers.

Fixed to or forming part of the inner surface of the rotor and facing the grippers are two curved wedge-shaped blocks 13 similar to the grippers but oppositel directed, their thin ends being next to the t iick ends of the grippers. The ends of the wedge-shaped blocks and of the grippers, however, do not coincide, for a considerable gap is left between the thin ends of the blocks and the flanges on the distance pieces above mentioned. The blocks are provided at their thin ends with retaining pieces 14 for sets of rollers 15 interposed' between them and the grippers. The rollers are capable of considerable elastic compression and are retained near the thin ends of the grippers b loose blocks 16 which abut against the istance pieces above mentioned. The wedge-shaped blocks thus constitute roller tracks. The dewoe is completed by the springs 9 interposed between the lugs on the distance pieces and the thick ends of the wedge-shaped blocks, the function of the springs being to keep the grippers in engagement with the oscillator on the one hand and the rollers adjacent to it on the other, so that at the commencement of each stroke a driving connexion is at once established. Further motion. causes the grippers to become tightly wedged and to compress the rollers.

There may be any number of grippers and the same number of roller races, distance pieces, springs and other coacting parts uniformly distributed. Moreover, if there are more than two of each of these parts the connexion between the inner rotor (the cylindrical surface 2 of the shaft 1 in this case and the outer rotor must be universal for which purpose a joint similar to an Oldham coupling must be used.

The elasticity of the rollers and the play allowed by the clearance 11 between the rotor and the part 2 of the shaft 1, permits the grippers to bed down firmly on the rollers adjacent to them during the driving stroke The elasticity of the rollers assists in quick isengagement of the parts during the return stroke. It is obvious that balls or other elastic bodies can be used instead of rollem if their elasticity and that of their races is sufficient.

Figures 3 and 4 show another form in which the rotor is seated directly on the driven shaft. The requisite play is provided in this case between the driven shaft and the oscillator. 17 is the driven shaft mounted as before in suitable bearings which are not shown. The rotor 18 is provided with a central sleeve 19 which is seated directly upon the shaft 17 and is secured to it so as to cause it to rotate by keys, splining or other means shown at 52. 20 is an oscillating member having an' inwardly project ing flange which surrounds the shaft 1 or a collar 21 thereon, leaving a clearance 22. The oscillator is actuated from some external source of power by a link or connectthis purpose they are preferably of large A lupassage 25 may be provided in the diameter and made of coiled metal. bricating shaft 17.

Surrounding the oscillator 20 are a, number of curved wedge-shaped members 26 arranged symmetrically. Two are shown in the present instance, but there may be any number of them. They are placed as shown with the thin end of each directed towards the thick end of the next. The spaces between the members 26 are occupied, with slight clearances 27, by flanged distance pieces 28. The inner surface of the rotor is formed with, or carries, wedge-shaped faces 29 corresponding to the wedge members 26, and in the spaces between are situated rollers 30, thus forming bearings, which bearings also possess resilience. The sets of rollers are retained in place at the ends by flanges on the distance pieces 28, and by blocks 31 secured to the rotor. Plate springs 50 are interposed between the blocks 31 and the adjacent rollers. The device is completed by springs 32 contained in channel pieces 33 let into the rotor, and compressed between flanges on these channel pieces as shown and on the distance pieces driven shaft on which the rotor is splined or secured in any suitable way, indicated at 52, as in Figures 3 and 4. 36 is an oscillating member rotatably mounted without clearance on the driven shaft, and is actuated from some external source by a link or connecting rod, not shown, which engages with a pin' 37. The pin is carried between flanges 38 so as to avoid side strains and diametrically opposite the pin are flanges 39 for balancing. The oscillator 36 carries blocks 40 projecting from its face and engaging with holes 4.1 in a loose plate 42 so as to permit the plate to move diametrically. The plate has also holes 43 on the diameter at right angles to that of' the holes 41, and in the holesthere slide blocks 4.4 projecting from the face of an oscillating member 45 which is carried in a recess in the rotor 35. Clearance-is allowed between the central hole in the plate 42 and the driven shaft, and alsobetween theoscilbiting-member 45 and the central portion of the rotor. The oscillator 45 is thus driven by the oscillator 36, but is allowed free play in any direction at right angles to the axis of the driven shaft. 1

Surrounding the oscillator 45 are a number bf symmetrically arranged curved wedge-shaped blocks 46, the thin edges of each being adjacent to the thick edge of the next with a clearance in which is situated a plate spring. In the drawing four such wedge-shaped bodies are shown, but there may be any number. V The springs are indicated diagrammatically at 50 in Figure 7 by The external surface of the oscillator 1s castellated, grooved.

or otherwise formed so "as to provide adequate friction between it and the wedges.-

Outside these wedges but at a distance apart from 'them are the same number of similarly shaped wedges 47, oppositely directed to the inner set with which they break joint. Plate springs 51 are also provided between adjacent members of theset 47. The spaces between the sets of wedges are 0c cupied by elastic rollers 48, preferably made of coiled metal, and between the rollers are interposed bow or blade springs 49 which are shown diagrammatically by radial strokes between the rollers in" Figure 7. The springs 50 and 51 are sufliciently wide radially to cover the ends of the adjacent. wedges and the outer rollers.

In consequence of the opposlte disposal of I the two sets of wedges, the outer surface of the outer set has a continuous circular contourconcentric with the oscillator 45 and the driven shaft, and engages with the inner surface of the rotor 35 which is grooved or otherwise formed similarly to the outer surface of the oscillator.

Figure 8, is a developed sectional plan along the curved line 8-8, Figure 7, the

rollers being shown in full plan. It shows in detail the arrangement and form of the plate springs 49. They may able form, but. as shown they consist of straight rectangular metal strips of the section shown. It will be noticed that the springs 49, 5t) and 51 fulfill precisely the same function as the helical springs deor rollers. During the driving stroke there is relative angular movement between the oscillator and the rotor due to the compression of the rollers, the oscillator and the rotor each carrying its set of grippers with it. On the return stroke the relative motion is in the reverse direction. Thus the inner set of grippers will part with some of the kinetic energy which they acquire on the return stroke to pers through the rollers and the sprlngs. The impulse thus given to the outer grippers enables these grippers to slip on the rotor during the return or idle stroke, and causes them to be accelerated in a direction contrary to the direction of rotation of the rotor, while at the same time the springs are accelerating the inner grippers in the contrary direction. This combined action secures a ready contact between the grippers and the adjacent surfaces at the beginning of the next driving stroke. Also the grippers rotate relatively to the rotor so that a continual change occurs between the gripping surfaces. The rollers are also subject to an alternate rotation in each direction, so that their lines or points of contact are continually changing. In all cases the motion communicated to the rotor de ends upon the opposing be of any suitthe outer set of griptorque. This resu ts from the compressibility v of the rollers, for the greater the opposing torque, the greater the compression of these bodies, and this compression produces a relative angular displacement between the oscillator and rotor which takes up in part the motion of the oscillator. In extreme cases the rotor might be fixed while the oscillator continues to move to its full extent. In this case the angular amplitude of oscillation must be so selected as notfto exceed the elastic limit of the rollers.

What I claim is 1. A driving device for converting oscillating into unidirectional motion comprising a driven shaft, a driven rotor member mounted upon the said shaft, an oscillatin dnvmg member concentrically moan within the said rotor member, two concentric sets of curved and uniformly disposed wedge-shaped bodies situated between the oscillating member and the rotor member, the number of members in each set being the same, and the slope of the members of each set being in the same direction but in the opposite direction to that of the members of the other set, springs aetii'ig upon the thicker ends of the wedge-shaped bodies, and elastic antifriction bodies interposed between the two sets of wedge-shaped bodies.

2. A driving device for converting oscillating into unidirectional motion comprising a driven shaft, a cylindrical driven rotor member mounted upon the said shaft, a cylindrical oscillating, driving member concentrically mounted within the said rotor mem ber, two concentric sets of curved and uniformly' disposed wedge-shaped bodies situated between the oscillating member and the rotor member, the number of members in each set being the same, and the slope of the members of each set being in the same direction but in the opposite direction to that of the members of the other set, springs acting upon the thicker ends of the wed eshaped bodies, and elastic antifriction bodies interposed between the two sets of wedgeshaped bodies.

3. A driving device for converting oscillating into unidirectional motion comprising a driven shaft, a cylindrical driven rotor member mounted upon the said shaft, a cylindrical oscillating driving member concentrically mounted within the said rotor member, two concentric sets of curved and uniformly disposed wedge-shaped bodies situated between the oscillating member and the rotor member, the number of members in each set being the same, and the slope of the members of each set being in the same direction but in the opposite direction to that of the members of the other set, springs acting upon the thicker ends of the wedge-shaped bodies, elastic antifriction bodies interposed between the two sets of wedge-shaped bodies, and plate springs interposed between the elastic antifriction bodies.

4:. A driving device as claimed in claim 2,

in which the rotor is mounted without play on the driven. shaft.

5. A driving device for converting oscillating into unidirectional motion comprismember mounted without play upon the said shaft, a cylindrical oscillating driving member concentrically mounted within the said rotor member, two concentric sets of curved and uniformly disposed wedgeshaped bodies situated between the oscillating member and the rotor member the outer of which sets is separate from, hutcapable of frictional engagement with, the rotor member, the number of members in each set being the same, and the slope of the members of each set being in the same direction but in the opposite direction to that of the members of the other set, elastic antifriction bodies interposed between the two sets of wedge-shaped bodies, and plate springs interposed between the elastic antifriction bodies.

6. A driving device for converting oscillating into unidirectional motion comprising a driven shaft, a. cylindrical driven rotor member mounted without play upon the said shaft, a cylindrical oscillating driving member concentrically mounted within the said rotor member, said oscillating member being in two parts, one part mounted with and the other without lateral play upon the driven shaft, a rigid coupling connecting the parts and permitting relative lateral play between them but no relative rotational play, two concentric sets of curved and uniformly disposed wedge-shaped bodies situated between the oscillating member and the rotor member the outer of which sets is separated -from, but capable of frictional engagement with, the rotor member, the num ber of members in each set being the same, and the slope of the members of each set being in the same direction but in the opposite direction to that of the members of the other set, elastic antifriction bodies interposed between the two sets of wedge-shaped'bodies, and plate springs interposed between the elastic antifriction bodies.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I have signed my name this v sixteenth day of March 1926.

GEORGE CONSTANTINESCO.

mg a, driven shaft, a cylindrical driven rotor 

